Protective effect of Azadirachta indica extract against Eimeria papillata-induced coccidiosis

Abstract

Coccidiosis in poultry is caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Eimeria, which is responsible for worldwide economic losses. The methanolic extract of Azadirachta indica (neem) leaves was used in vivo for its pharmacological, antioxidant, and anticoccidial properties. Four groups of mice were investigated. The first group was inoculated only with sterile saline and served as the control group. The second group was treated by oral gavage with neem extract (500 mg/kg) daily for 4 days. The third and fourth groups were infected with 10(3) sporulated oocysts of Eimeria papillata. The fourth group was also treated once daily with neem extract for 4 days. Paraffin sections from the jejunum as well as jejunal homogenate were prepared for the histopathological and biochemical investigations, respectively. The data showed that mice infected with E. papillata revealed an output of 6.5 × 10(5) ± 29,753 oocysts per gram feces on day 4 postinoculation. This output is significantly decreased to 2.7 × 10(5) ± 37,341 oocysts in neem-treated mice. Infection with E. papillata induced marked histopathological alterations in the jejunum in the form of inflammation, vacuolation of the epithelium, and destruction of some villi. Also, the neem extract greatly diminished body weight loss of infected mice. Moreover, the number of goblet cells stained with Alcian blue within the infected villi was significantly lowered (P ≤ 0.05). In addition, E. papillata enhanced lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide production in both serum and jejunum with concomitant reduction in glutathione. Neem induced marked improvements in all of the studied parameters as well as the histopathological features of the jejunum. Our study revealed that neem as a natural product has protective effects against E. papillata-induced coccidiosis.

Anti-coccidial and anti-apoptotic activities of palm pollen grains on Eimeria papillata-induced infection in mice

“…Currently, new trends have been developed to identify various dietary supplements of natural origin into feeding programs to control Eimeria infections (Dalloul et al 2003;Jang et al 2007;Molan et al 2009;Abbas et al 2010;Metwaly et al 2012a;Zhang et al 2012a,b;Dkhil et al 2013b).…”

Effect of isoflurane�+�N2O inhalation and propofol�+�fentanyl anesthesia on myocardial function as assessed by cardiac troponin, caspase‑3, cyclooxygenase‑2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression

“…There is minimal evaporation through skin without accumulation; therefore, N 2 O is an ideal inhaled anesthetic (17). As anesthesia performance of N 2 Ois low and weak, a high concentration of single use may cause anoxia; thus, its concentration should not be higher than 60% (18). We found that NF-κB of p65 and IL-6, caspase-3 and 9 activities in the isoflurane + N 2 O inhalation group were suppressed, compared with the propofol + fentanyl anesthesia group.…”

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“…Non significant change in these parameters in groups vaccinated against NDV vaccine only, administered neem leaves aqueous extract only, or received both of them indicate no adverse effect of vaccination and neem extract constituents on the renal functions. Broiler chickens group which infected with NDV plus administration of neem leaves aqueous extract showed significant increasing in same parameters, but with lesser degree may be due to renal protective activity of neem leaves extract (Singh et al, 2014) as it is rich in flavonoids (rutin, quercetin, flavonoglycosides, polyphenols, and tannins) which play a vital role in protection against renal injury via anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities (scavenging free radicals) (Dkhil et al, 2013;Kitdamrongtham et al, 2014) beside its potential anti-viral activity. These results were confirmed by histopathological changes of kidney, which showing congestion (Arrow) and focal haemorrhage (Arrowheads) (Fig.…”